In vivo quantitative photoacoustic monitoring of corticosteroid-induced vasoconstriction

Abstract

Significance: Corticosteroids-commonly prescribed medications for skin diseases-inhibit the secretion of vasodilators, such as prostaglandin, thereby exerting anti-inflammatory action by constricting capillaries in the dermis. The effectiveness of corticosteroids is determined by the degree of vasoconstriction followed by skin whitening, namely, the blanching effect. However, the current method of observing the blanching effect indirectly evaluates the effects of corticosteroids.Aim: In this study, we employed optical-resolution photoacoustic (PA) microscopy (OR-PAM) to directly visualize the blood vessels and quantitatively evaluate vasoconstriction.Approach: Using OR-PAM, the vascular density in mice skin was monitored for 60 min after performing each experimental procedure for four groups, and the vasoconstriction was quantified. Volumetric PA data were segmented into the papillary dermis, reticular dermis, and hypodermis based on the vascular characteristics obtained through OR-PAM. The vasoconstrictive effect of each skin layer was quantified according to the dermatological treatment method.Results: In the case of corticosteroid topical application, vasoconstriction was observed in the papillary (56.4 AE 10.9%) and reticular (45.1 AE 4.71%) dermis. For corticosteroid subcutaneous injection, constriction was observed solely in the reticular (49.5 AE 9.35%) dermis. In contrast, no vasoconstrictions were observed with nonsteroidal topical application. Conclusions:Our results indicate that OR-PAM can quantitatively monitor the vasoconstriction induced by corticosteroids, thereby validating OR-PAMs potential as a practical evaluation tool for predicting the effectiveness of corticosteroids in dermatology.

Multiwavelength laser diode based portable photoacoustic and ultrasound imaging system for point of care applications

“…This is due to the thickened lumen of a diseased vessel having impaired vessel reactivity. For example, PAI can measure changes in blood volume in response to external stimulation induced vasodilation, as this results in increased flow of total hemoglobin through the blood vasculature [17, 18]. Therefore, MSPAI has the potential to derive multiparametric vascular biomarker information associated with PAD.…”

Observation and density estimation of a large number of skin capillaries using wide-field portable video capillaroscopy and semantic segmentation

“…Technologies, such as photoacoustic imaging, 26 – 28 optical coherence tomography-angiography (OCT-A), 29 – 31 reflectance confocal microscopy, 32 , 33 and two-photon microscopy, 34 offer three-dimensional (3D) views of the cutaneous vasculature, and some of them can capture images at resolutions of several millimeters or centimeters. 26 , 27 , 29 However, they require expensive and complicated systems that are difficult to operate and may entail long data acquisition times. Therefore, a capillaroscopy system with the aforementioned specifications can potentially be a novel and more versatile diagnostic method.…”

Special Section Guest Editorial: Seeing Inside Tissue with Optical Molecular Probes

“…In a third study focused on optical-resolution photoacoustic microscopy, Kim et al 3 . harness endogenous vascular contrast to monitor vasoconstriction as a function of skin depth in response to corticosteroid treatment.…”

“…In a third study focused on optical-resolution photoacoustic microscopy, Kim et al. 3 harness endogenous vascular contrast to monitor vasoconstriction as a function of skin depth in response to corticosteroid treatment. In contrast to the skin blanching effect typically used to assess the effectiveness of corticosteroids, the high-resolution photoacoustic images provided direct and quantitative layer-by-layer assessment of changes in vascular density as a function of time after treatment.…”